Threatening adverts.
Discussion
Currently at my numero uno position for hates is the rise of adverts that use threats as an underlying way of getting their messages across.
Im talking about (and lets not go into the morality of the subjects the ads address) adverts like the "tax dosent have to be taxing" ads for example.
The very nice and helpful, friendly even Adam Hart whatsisname who kindly informs us that doing our tax assesments online is oh so wonderful, then at the end a subtle yet clear threat: Refuse to co-operate and you'll get "hit" with a financial penalty.
From that to this: "We know where your untaxed cars are".......erm well actually, no, you dont.
This adverts method of getting its message across is particularly sinister to my mind, as again at the end the threat is clearly implied.....a financial penalty.
Tv licence ads are always a good source for threats to be gleaned from with an oh so unsubtle one from good old aunty beeb with the mention of a "knock at the door"........i wouldnt if i were you aunty, you may get more than you bargained for.
A radio ad is currently running regarding offenders and their non payment of fines.
Im sure some of you may have heard the nonsense it spouts and goes something like this: " Our computer system...yada yada yada" and the unmmissable " Bailiffs, another fine, or jail....".......now i AM shaking at the thought of that!
And finally for tonight, the benefit fraud one, where the little target centres over people supposedly scamming the state out of cash, the threats as ever come in the form of " we'll find you" or the really subtle " we'll get you" variety.
Now, while i dont agree with benefit fraudsters, tax cheats and so on and so forth, is it really necessary for the state to actively threaten its citizens to gain compliance?
And is this just a symptom of wider intimidation perpetuated by so called "government" or "authority".?
If so, i have message for you people pushing out this crap: Keep threatening and reap the whirlwind.
Im talking about (and lets not go into the morality of the subjects the ads address) adverts like the "tax dosent have to be taxing" ads for example.
The very nice and helpful, friendly even Adam Hart whatsisname who kindly informs us that doing our tax assesments online is oh so wonderful, then at the end a subtle yet clear threat: Refuse to co-operate and you'll get "hit" with a financial penalty.
From that to this: "We know where your untaxed cars are".......erm well actually, no, you dont.
This adverts method of getting its message across is particularly sinister to my mind, as again at the end the threat is clearly implied.....a financial penalty.
Tv licence ads are always a good source for threats to be gleaned from with an oh so unsubtle one from good old aunty beeb with the mention of a "knock at the door"........i wouldnt if i were you aunty, you may get more than you bargained for.
A radio ad is currently running regarding offenders and their non payment of fines.
Im sure some of you may have heard the nonsense it spouts and goes something like this: " Our computer system...yada yada yada" and the unmmissable " Bailiffs, another fine, or jail....".......now i AM shaking at the thought of that!
And finally for tonight, the benefit fraud one, where the little target centres over people supposedly scamming the state out of cash, the threats as ever come in the form of " we'll find you" or the really subtle " we'll get you" variety.
Now, while i dont agree with benefit fraudsters, tax cheats and so on and so forth, is it really necessary for the state to actively threaten its citizens to gain compliance?
And is this just a symptom of wider intimidation perpetuated by so called "government" or "authority".?
If so, i have message for you people pushing out this crap: Keep threatening and reap the whirlwind.
I always get a laugh at those 'tv detector vans' anyone with even a minor technical knowledge would know that it's impossible for them to dectect anything worthwhile. Their website is truly hilarious.
I really don't know who these types of ads target, any criminal breaking the law couldn't give a crap and would laugh everytime they see it and people who have paid up are just having their time wasted. Those who genuinely forget are the ones being made to feel like a criminal, it just makes you want to turn to crime just to spite them.
I really don't know who these types of ads target, any criminal breaking the law couldn't give a crap and would laugh everytime they see it and people who have paid up are just having their time wasted. Those who genuinely forget are the ones being made to feel like a criminal, it just makes you want to turn to crime just to spite them.
Yes, I hate them too. And the smug cow that does all the VOs.
It's hardly going to win hearts and minds is it?
And consider this - if the TV bods (or DVLA) know where all the people who watch 5 channels of crap without a licence are, instead of sabre rattling, why don't they simply march in to their houses, nick them all and fine them £5K each to help pay for Gordy's new desk/pot plant/pension fund?
>> Edited by simpo two on Saturday 29th October 22:04
It's hardly going to win hearts and minds is it?
And consider this - if the TV bods (or DVLA) know where all the people who watch 5 channels of crap without a licence are, instead of sabre rattling, why don't they simply march in to their houses, nick them all and fine them £5K each to help pay for Gordy's new desk/pot plant/pension fund?
>> Edited by simpo two on Saturday 29th October 22:04
One of the ones that annoys me is not exactly threatening but is very much in the vain of 'how can you live without our product'.
It was for a fruit based product and the ad showed a girl trying to peel fresh fruit, with the stuff going everywhere and half the fruit being mashed or dropped.
The voice over basically said 'You must eat fruit but is imossible to eat the real stuff, buy our prepacked overpriced, artificially enhanced chemical goo instead and you will look like a TOTP dancer and have loads of trendy friends in no time'
bannanas to that matey.
It was for a fruit based product and the ad showed a girl trying to peel fresh fruit, with the stuff going everywhere and half the fruit being mashed or dropped.
The voice over basically said 'You must eat fruit but is imossible to eat the real stuff, buy our prepacked overpriced, artificially enhanced chemical goo instead and you will look like a TOTP dancer and have loads of trendy friends in no time'
bannanas to that matey.
There are lots of addresses that don't pay the TV licence. The fact that they don't have TV's is carefully forgotten from the ad.
My brother was staying in a flat in London for a year or so some time back. He had no TV but of course the Licence people knocked on his door. In fact they buzzed from downstairs claiming they were the Electricity board or some such and when he opened his flat door to some c**t who said 'actually I am from TV licencing and have come to see if you have a TV on' then peered through the gap in the door, my bro nearly ripped him a new throat. He was ejected rather sharpish.
Bring it on and reap the worldwind, as has been said.
My brother was staying in a flat in London for a year or so some time back. He had no TV but of course the Licence people knocked on his door. In fact they buzzed from downstairs claiming they were the Electricity board or some such and when he opened his flat door to some c**t who said 'actually I am from TV licencing and have come to see if you have a TV on' then peered through the gap in the door, my bro nearly ripped him a new throat. He was ejected rather sharpish.
Bring it on and reap the worldwind, as has been said.
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